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Apr 11 Graduate Ollie Tubb takes his work to another level

Ollie Tubb took on his first role after graduating as Marketing and Communications Manager at The Aspex Gallery in Portsmouth.

The Gallery exists to support emerging artists and offer the next generation of contemporary visual artists a platform from which to launch their careers. A registered educational charity, it also connects people to meaningful experiences with art through workshops, events and of course, exhibitions. Ollie says ‘It’s a fantastic role, working with a range of people and on extremely unique projects’ and for Ollie the projects just keep getting higher profile…..

This week the Gallery was featured in a national television programme to bid for funding. Aspex is attempting to develop public support for a workshop for members of Portsmouth’s refugee and asylum seeker community and their children. Ollie says ‘ Art can improve people’s lives, building confidence, skills and employability and this workshop encompasses all of this’. You can get involved by visiting the Gallery’s website: www.aspex.org.uk

Ollie graduated in 2015 with a BA in Illustration and went on to undertake the Creative Faculty’s first MRes in Creative Industries. His research looked into the development of archival spaces for small art objects/ephemera and began archiving a donated set of mail art from artist Patricia Collins. At the same time, he also completed an internship at Aspex which is how he ended up leading on their marketing and communications.

Ollie enjoyed his time at the University. He says ‘the Illustration course at Portsmouth is very community-based. Students work together on projects and this team-working has set me up for current workplace practices. The teaching staff and resources were fantastic -there’s a wealth of knowledge there supporting a range of new projects. The creative faculty is incredibly innovate and plays a prominent role when it comes to culture in our City. ‘

When asked what advice he would give to current students Ollie said: ‘take on as many opportunities as possible. There is a tonne of voluntary opportunities within the creative sector. On the other hand - know your worth. You develop a range of very unique and professional skills at University - these skills are very attractive to employers, so don’t undersell yourself ‘.

Artist Majid Dhana, delivering a workshop at Aspex as part of Journeys Festival International (celebration of refugee and asylum seeker artists and creative talent)